our "making a difference" story tonight from nbc's chelsea clinton. clinton. ♪ >> reporter: mountain view, arkansas, a town deep in ozark country. where acoustic folk melodies fill the air. for more than a century, the pickin park in the center of town has been where folks comp to celebrate this traditional music. everyone is encouraged to strum and pick. especially the kids. ♪ >> there's some real beauty in the stories and songs and the music. ♪ >> reporter: but many old-timers worry their musical legacy would be lost. >> there was a lot more influence of other types of music and everything. and so we had concerns about our music. was it dying? >> reporter: 13 years ago, danny thomas was the school superintendent when he came up with a way to keep the old-time music alive. ♪ >> reporter: he called his program "music roots." beginning in the fourth grade, all students receive free instruments and free lessons from mountain view's best musicians. ♪ >> whew-hoo! >> reporter: like shea and scott poole, who own the local music store. what do you